Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms: Everything You Need to Know About Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is, quite possibly, one of the most life-threatening genetic diseases. In fact, cystic fibrosis symptoms are vast and numerous. The disease affects the entire body, slowly weakening each organ until lung disease occurs. The term cystic fibrosis comes from the fact that scarring and cyst formation can occur in the pancreas, which is then followed by a myriad of different cystic fibrosis symptoms. The disease is genetic, so cystic fibrosis symptoms can be witnessed even in early childhood. Cystic fibrosis symptoms do not follow one pattern, some symptoms vary depending on the person and also in varying degrees.



Cystic fibrosis symptoms occur because of the wearing out of the pancreas. This disease interferes with the secretion of hormones, and people with cystic fibrosis have abnormalities in the glands responsible for the secretion of sweat and mucus. People with the disease lose large amounts of the salt when they sweat, which in turn interferes with the balance of the blood’s mineral content and it may cause irregular heart rhythms. Because of their hormonal abnormalities, there is an overproduction of mucus in the lungs, which brings about cystic fibrosis symptoms like chronic cough, wheezing, asthma, and a change in the color of the sputum. Excessive mucus in the intestines, however, bring a myriad of different cystic fibrosis symptoms as well such as pale colored stool, abdominal pain, excessive flatulence, abdominal swelling and weight loss. Cystic fibrosis symptoms are caused by excessively thick mucus secretions in the lungs and the intestines. It is for this reason that cystic fibrosis symptoms result in breathing difficulties; a lack of nutrition which hinders growth; and respiratory infections that occur again and again.

Apart from affecting the lungs and the intestines, cystic fibrosis symptoms also affect the internal parts of the nose. Polyps in the inner nasal passages and sinusitis reflect these cystic fibrosis symptoms. Because of the patient’s lack of oxygen, cystic fibrosis symptoms such as clubbing, or the distortion of the angle of the nail bed, can occur. A patient with the disease displays cystic fibrosis symptoms like an enlargement of the tips of the fingers.



Cystic fibrosis symptoms such as coughing up phlegm with traces of blood can be also seen. Others with cystic fibrosis symptoms experience pneumothorax, or the destruction of lung tissues, which trap the air between the lungs and the chest wall. Heart problems can also occur because of the lack of oxygen. Cystic fibrosis symptoms such as cor pulmonale, or the enlargement of the right side of heart, is rare but it occurs. When the disease isn’t treated immediately, cystic fibrosis symptoms such as diabetes, gallstones, liver disease, and gall stones can occur.

There is no known cure for cystic fibrosis, but cystic fibrosis symptoms can be treated. Antibiotics and certain therapies are used to treat cystic fibrosis symptoms, and to ultimately lengthen the person’s life.

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms: What Happens When One has this Condition?

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that can have adverse effects to the entire health of a person. It is caused by faulty genes that are responsible for the production of the mucus which is found lining the tissues of the organs. This means that when a person is born with cystic fibrosis, his or her body produces a thick mucus surrounding the tissues, which results in the blocking of the passageways of organs such as the lungs, the pancreas, and the digestive tract. The thick mucus lining can then increase the risk of the production of the bacteria in the organs thus causing infections that may result in organ failure.


Because the condition is something that is hereditary, cystic fibrosis symptoms manifest as early as the child’s first year. However, the severity of the symptoms varies from one person to another. Usually, these signs concern the lungs and the digestive organs. Some of the most common cystic fibrosis symptoms occur in:

Respiratory system

One of the most common cystic fibrosis symptoms is difficulty in breathing. When the condition affects the lungs, the thick mucus blocks the healthy flow of air in and out of the organ. This results to bacterial build up in the lungs causing other types of complications like wheezing coughs that may lead to pneumonia or bronchitis. In a worst case scenario, coughing out of bloody mucus may also be possible. An individual may also suffer from frequent colds and inflamed sinuses as well as asthma attacks.

Digestive system

When the condition affects the digestive system, cystic fibrosis symptoms include weight loss and malnutrition. This happens because the digestive enzymes that are produced in the pancreas are blocked by the thick mucus lining thus disrupting the breaking down of essential nutrients found in food. This makes it hard for the body to absorb all the nutrients that it needs in order to remain healthy. The slow digestion process can often lead to complications such as indigestion and constipation. Sometimes, the stool that is excreted by the body becomes oily and smelly too.

Other organs

Cystic fibrosis symptoms can also manifest in different organs too. If the condition affects the pancreas for instance, apart from the fact that it disrupts digestion, it can also inhibit the production of insulin, a substance that is needed by the body in order to regulate the blood’s glucose. This is why people suffering from this genetic disease often have diabetes too.



Sometimes, cystic fibrosis affects the reproductive organs as well. This can cause infertility among women as the thick mucus in the cervix can affect the ovulation cycle.

Understanding and Diagnosing Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms

Just like other illnesses, it is important to understand cystic fibrosis symptoms. This way, you can easily determine whether the signs you are feeling need medical attention or not. Although there is no absolute cure for this genetic disorder, advanced treatments and therapies have made it easier for sufferers to live with its symptoms.

What causes its symptoms?

Cystic fibrosis is caused by the sticky mucus present in the body. It affects different vital organs such as the lungs and digestive system. Although the severity of its symptoms can vary from one person to another, sufferers share the same experiences when it comes to battling against its painful symptoms.

Here are some of the main symptoms and health problems detected in cystic fibrosis.

Coughing and wheezing

Cystic fibrosis symptoms can affect your lungs first before it reaches other organs in your body. You may experience discomfort in the form of coughing and wheezing. Your body reacts to the thick mucus in your lungs by coughing it out.

As the mucus continues to build up inside your lungs, the thick mucus will provide an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This leads to the recurring lung and chest infections that you may experience throughout your life span.

Malnutrition and smelly stools

Cystic fibrosis can also block the ducts in your pancreas. This hinders your pancreas from producing food-digestive enzymes and leads to large, smelly stools or even malnutrition.

The lack of digestive enzymes in your body makes it harder for the body to digest the food you eat. The undigested fat can affect your stools and make them smelly, oily, and bulky. Cystic fibrosis symptoms can also prevent your body from absorbing the essential nutrients that it needs. This can make it harder for you to gain and maintain your ideal weight.

Diabetes

In some cases, cystic fibrosis can also lead to diabetes. As it continues to damage your pancreas, they will not produce enough insulin for controlling the sugar levels in your bloodstream.

If ever you develop diabetes due to cystic fibrosis, you may experience symptoms such as finding it difficult to lose and gain weight. You will also experience a tremendous decline in your normal lung function as mucus continues to accumulate in your lungs.

Cross infections

Cystic fibrosis symptoms can make your body more vulnerable to harmful lung infections. Your lungs may develop two bacteria strains known as Burkholderia cepacia complex and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They will continue to thrive in the thick mucus inside your lungs and cause repeated chest infections.

Cross infections may occur when you have accidentally passed the bacteria to other people. This contagious disease can be passed on by coughing near them or making personal contact with them.

Now that you are already familiar with the signs of cystic fibrosis, you can easily determine if you are suffering from this genetic disorder. Although cystic fibrosis symptoms can be quite scary, always remember that advanced therapies are available to deter their harmful effects.

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms: Symptoms to Watch Out For

Cystic Fibrosis is a type of chronic disease that progresses as the person grows. It is normally characterized by scarring and growth of cysts in the pancreas. A person diagnosed with having cystic fibrosis can have physical disabilities. This disease also normally causes an early death. There are several cystic fibrosis symptoms that people should be aware of. Babies that are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis usually display cystic fibrosis symptoms as they grow.


Among the cystic fibrosis symptoms that will appear is poor weight gain. The digestive system usually doesn’t function properly due to the kidneys and pancreas being blocked, which characterizes this type of cystic fibrosis symptoms. That means most of the nutrients coming from the food taken is not absorbed by the body. Having a huge appetite is yet another example of cystic fibrosis symptoms that occurs in people diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. This happens because the brain sends signals the body that it is still hungry, even if it is not. This type of cystic fibrosis symptomsoccurs regardless of the amount of food being taken in.

Next cystic fibrosis symptoms is the foul smelling, oily or bulky bowel movements. This is in line with having a bad digestive system due to the cystic fibrosis which causes most of the food taken in to be excreted. Respiratory problems such as difficulty in breathing and coughing are also cystic fibrosis symptoms. A build up of thick mucus in the lungs and nasal passages prevent a person from breathing easily. This type of cystic fibrosis symptoms is usually the first one to be noticed by parents.

Salty tasting skin is yet another example of cystic fibrosis symptoms that appear especially when the salt can no longer be absorbed into the skin and is usually excreted in the sweat glands. Children that are affected with cystic fibrosis are usually delayed in reaching puberty which is another example of cystic fibrosis symptoms. Infertility, diabetes, liver and gall bladder diseases are also cystic fibrosis symptoms that can occur as the person grows. Cystic fibrosis symptoms can include pancreatitis which occurs due to the blockage in the pancreas and usually require surgery before it can be corrected.


These cystic fibrosis symptoms usually increase as the person grows. There is no available treatment as of yet for cystic fibrosis but the cystic fibrosis symptoms can be alleviated somewhat with therapies and medicines. Transplanting affected organs is another method to help reduce the cystic fibrosis symptoms.

Cystic Fibrosis Symptoms: The Constant Weakening of the Pancreas

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by the progressive scarring of the pancreatic tissues. There are a lot of cystic fibrosis symptoms, most of which reveal themselves even in early childhood. There is no known cure for cystic fibrosis, but cystic fibrosis symptoms can be treated with antibiotics and certain therapies to make the disease much easier to live with.



Cystic fibrosis symptoms occur in the first years life and constantly progress and become worse as the years go by. The disease affects the pancreas, which renders the body unable to secrete sweat and mucus normally. A number of organs are affected by cystic fibrosis symptoms, but two of the most significantly weakened are the intestines and the lungs. When it comes severity, cystic fibrosis symptoms vary from every person, but there are standard symptoms that everyone with cystic fibrosis goes through.

When the disease affects the lungs, cystic fibrosis symptoms can be particularly aggressive. Cystic fibrosis floods the lungs with very thick mucus, which causes the patient to wheeze as the body tries to expel the phlegm. The lungs are further weakened, so cystic fibrosis symptoms can cause recurring infections in the lungs. The mucus in the lungs becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, socystic fibrosis symptoms worsen if the lungs aren’t treated immediately.

Because of the overproduction of thick mucus in the lungs, cystic fibrosis symptoms are often caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia breeding in the mucus. They constantly multiply until the patient arrives with different health complications. Cystic fibrosis symptoms such as recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, and asthma affect the lungs. The lungs becomes weakened until the lack of oxygen makes it more difficult for the patient to go about his or her daily activities. This lack of oxygen brings forth the most common among all cystic fibrosis symptoms the clubbing of the fingers. Oxygen deficiency affects the nails on the finger, giving the person enlarged and curved nails.


In the intestines, however, more cystic fibrosis symptoms can be observed. The pancreas no creates digestive enzymes, so food is never adequately digested and fat is lost along with the stools. The feces becomes smelly and hard to flush away. Cystic fibrosis symptoms such as malnutrition spring forth from the intestines’ inability to harvest nutrients, giving patients a hard time gaining weight and growing. Children who have cystic fibrosis symptoms experience delayed puberty. The lack of nutrients renders them incapable of growth and it can cause body progression cystic fibrosis symptoms that affect most children with the disease.

Cystic fibrosis is not the end of your life. It may be life-threatening, but treatments are available to give the patient more time to live. Most people who experience cystic fibrosis symptoms live beyond the age of 38.